Why Football Gold Coast should include Southport, Musgrave and Tweed in 2019 Premier League

THE solution to Football Gold Coast’s 2019 Premier League dilemma is easier than it appears, writes the Bulletin’s Brent O’Neill.

LET ‘em play, sir.

The six-member Football Gold Coast board will meet tonight to decide what next season’s Premier League will look like, but the answer seems obvious.

With three clubs – Tweed United, Musgrave and Southport - all holding valid arguments as to why they should be in the top flight, FGC must cast aside any preconceived ideas and include all three in 2019.

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Their perfect plan for an eight-team Premier League has been thrown into disarray with Murwillumbah’s withdrawal and, without knowing all the ins and outs of football governance, a 10-team competition now makes the most sense.

Tweed United were relegated despite finishing above Mudgeeraba.

Tweed battled bravely in this year’s competition and were relegated ahead of wooden-spooners Mudgeeraba.

Musgrave won the Coast League One grand final, while Southport lost the Premier League playoff final to Mudgeeraba.

How do you separate one from the others?

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A playoff between the three just isn’t feasible at this time of year.

Listening to players, officials and supporters, the overwhelming consensus is to give them all a crack and leave the eight-team competition for 2020, if at all.

Some have even called for a 12 or 15-team league, a throwback to the not-too-distant past.

It’s time to listen to the voices that matter most.